Roger Aitken
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Journalist, editor, ex-FT writer, sometime Forbes blogger + PR. Awarded press prizes from State Street bank + Czech Republic.
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Articles by Roger Aitken
TRENT PARK'S ‘HOUSE OF SECRETS’ IS AB FAB
The walls have ears at Trent Park, the former north London residence of Sir Philip Sassoon, one of the wealthiest men in England during the 1920s, a close friend of Winston Churchill and Royalty who had served as an MP and Under-Secretary of State for Air. This imposing former stately home also has an interesting Czech connection.
WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF AI...ALIEN INTELLIGENCE?
Dystopian. A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. This old adage - incorrectly attributed to Mark Twain - highlights just how misinformation can spread faster than the truth. And, in this era of information overload and accelerating tech it can be hard to decipher the wheat from the chaff. The same could apply to Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Czech Wine Day Shines A Light On Country’s Historic Wine Regions
Elusive but increasingly high regarded wines from the Czech Republic were on show aplenty at the Czech Embassy in London’s Notting Hill late this April, with a ‘Wine Day 2022’ held showcasing ten wineries from the nation. And, marking the event this year an ambitious new project was kicked off along with Cordoba Worldwide, to put wines from the country on map in the UK.
It was certainly a blast of a performance at The Barbican this March, in the first of the Czech Philharmonic’s (Česká filharmonie) two-concert residency at the London venue. Má vlast (‘My Country), Czech composer Bedřich Smetana’s an epic symphonic poem extolling of his homeland, is in the very DNA of the people of the Czech lands.
Film Review: Will The Real Charlie Chaplin Step Forward
Who was the real Charlie Chaplin? Does anyone really know? The great English comic, showman and composer who made his name in America is an enigma to this day, a new documentary further reveals about the man born into impoverished circumstances in Lambeth, south London, in April 1889.
GRAND DESIGNS AT LONDON’S ICONIC MAGNIFICENT SEVEN BROMPTON
Gothic, classical, pre-Raphaelite, Brompton cemetery in west London, one of the capital’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries that is set in the shadows of Chelsea FC’s stadium and a short stroll from Earl’s Court, has it all in terms of vistas, incredible stories and living legacies of human endeavour in the arts, commerce, politics, medicine, science, sport and military service.
With Greenwood, Black Lives Matter Brings its Powerful Message to Online Banking
Black-owned banks have struggled to establish a national profile in the U.S. financial landscape for generations. Now a new Black-owned bank called Greenwood is poised to break through, thanks to a confluence of online technology and the persistence of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Greenwood formula - celebrity, symbolism and banking with a purpose Greenwood shares some characteristics with other new online banks, such as the Leonardo DiCaprio-backed Aspiration.
Indonesia's Labor Rights and Sustainability Now at Risk, Say Critics of a Massive 'Jobs' Bill
(Photo: Commuters on their way to work in Bandung, Indonesia. The nation’s federal government has passed a bill that critics say would result in setbacks for both labor rights and environmental sustainability.) In what critics say is a step backward for both the environment and labor rights, Indonesia’s government has approved its new Omnibus Bill on Job Creation, receiving support from seven out of the nation’s nine political parties.
With Oceans in Peril, This Fund Seeks to Reverse the Decline
The investment giant Credit Suisse recently announced a new ocean health impact fund through a partnership with Rockefeller Asset Management. The new Ocean Engagement Fund has already raised $212 million in pre-launch. A market-driven approach to help heal the world’s oceans The two investment firms say this fund is unique in being the first fund solely tackling U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: life below water.
For BlackRock, Circularity Is Off to a $900 Million Start
Global asset manager BlackRock recently announced that its investment fund focused on the circular economy has raised $900 million since its launch just a year ago, ballooning from BlackRock’s initial seed money of $20 million. Circularity is one important part of the ESG investing story Sustainability was always going to be a central theme of 2020 after environmental challenges took center stage at events such as the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting at Davos.
A Conversation on the Challenges of Growing ESG Investing Worldwide
Yesterday, we started a conversation with Georg Kell, considered one of the fathers of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing. His new book, Sustainable Investing: A Path to a New Horizon, takes a close look at the historic convergence between corporate sustainability and ESG-lens investing as a force for good that, together, help drive systemic market changes.
Despite Skeptics, Sustainable Investing Holds Firm for Green COVID-19 Recovery
In past years, sustainable investing strategies have tempted investors with the promise of doing something good for the world, rather than gaining direct financial reward. Now the global COVID-19 crisis has put sustainable funds to the acid test, and some leading analysts see strong signs that the financial merits of sustainable investing are holding true, despite red flags raised by skeptics.
ESG Pioneer Georg Kell on the Power of a Crisis to Shake Up Markets
At a time of incredible economic upheaval and business and political uncertainty, the durability of sustainable investing has been one of the brighter lights on the horizon. More money than ever is pouring into sustainable or environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments. These have grown by a stunning 34 percent over the past two years to $30.7 trillion — a trend that seems pandemic-proof, as TriplePundit has reported.
Worldwide, 40% of Asset Managers ‘Still Not Engaging’ on Climate Change
Despite climate change having risen up high on the global agenda before and since the 2015 Paris Agreement resulted with a plan to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, a new study of asset managers globally collectively managing in excess of $10 trillion of assets under management (AUM) has found that well over a third of respondents were unable to provide an example of a climate change-related engagement efforts.
Women Rule: Why the Future of Social, Sustainable and Impact Investing is in Female Hands
By Marta Maretich In the early days of the social investing movement, women and girls were arguably seen more as program beneficiaries than financial movers and shakers. Social lenders changed their view when they realized that focusing initiatives like microfinance lending on women turned out to be the most effective way to make whole communities more prosperous.
The Biggest Mistake (Aspiring) Social Entrepreneurs Can Make
By Solene Pignet There is one mistake social entrepreneurs (or aspiring social entrepreneurs) very often make. I estimate that 80 percent of social enterprises projects fail because of that mistake. Yes, you read that right: 80 percent. I have been providing consulting for social entrepreneurs since 2014, and I have met many (aspiring) social entrepreneurs who make this mistake.
FTSE Russell Launches Data Model to Measure the Global Green Economy
The global markets indexing provider FTSE Russell has rolled out an enhanced Green Revenues 2.0 Data Model, which measures the “green revenue exposure” of more than 16,000 listed companies across 48 developed and emerging markets. This coverage, similar in scope and structure to its Russell 2000 Index, represents 98.5 percent of the total global market value of listed companies.
NGO Calls Leading European Bank’s Coal Phase-Out Policy a ‘Sham’
New phase-out measures announced by one of France’s largest banks, Société Générale (SocGen), which outlines how the company will exit the coal sector by 2030 in the European Union and OECD nations - and by 2040 for the rest of the world - have been labeled a “sham intending to mislead.” Reclaim Finance, a Paris-based NGO and think tank that advises on fossil fuel divestment, has contended that the bank’s latest policy for a 2030-2040 phase-out strategy does not cover the financing...
It’s No Fluke! Battery Storage Is Booming Big Time on the Monterey Bay Coast
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis hasn’t prevented the nascent battery storage industry from growing over the past several months. And some of the largest sites are underway at some of the most random locations. Most people who live in or near the Monterey Bay area on California’s central coast know Moss Landing as the sleepy hamlet about halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey.
Will Power is Key to Tackling the Ocean Plastic Crisis
As Plastic-Free July draws to a close, the looming ocean plastic crisis is still growing by the day. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A new scientific study indicates that solutions to much of the problem are already at hand. One important missing ingredient is will power, and that is where leading brands have an opportunity to shine. New study demonstrates pathways for taking on the ocean plastic crisis First, the good news.
A Quick Guide to Socially Responsible Investment Ratings
Investors are now using various ratings and reference indices to evaluate financial and socially responsible investment (SRI) portfolios. Typically, SRI indices constitute a relevant proxy as they evaluate the environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance of listed businesses. A large number of SR contractors, analysts and research firms are increasingly specializing in the collection of ESG information as they perform ongoing analyses of corporate performance.
Retailers Unite to Rethink Plastic Bags
Retailers sputtered for quite a while before they started implementing more uniform face mask policies, but they now appear to be unified in rethinking disposable, single-use plastic bags. This week, leading retail chains including CVS, Target and Walmart joined forces with Closed Loop Partners to see if they can find a solution to a pesky problem that has long dogged them: a more responsible and sustainable solution to standard throwaway plastic bags.
Across the Pond, the London Stock Exchange’s Green Economy Mark Gains Traction
The London Stock Group (LSEG) published its 2020 green economy report last week and unveiled a number of new issuers receiving the bourse’s Green Economy Mark. This LSEG certification process, which recognizes sustainable businesses across eight industry pillars, acknowledges securities issuers that derive more than 50 percent of their revenues from sustainable products and services.
Nature: A 10-Year, $10 Trillion Global Stimulus
(Image: Los Nevados National Park in the Colombian Andes. The World Economic Forum sees nature worldwide as something not just to protect, but preserve in the name of a global stimulus package.) With many people sheltering in place and the huge increase in the consumption of single-use plastics, it appears at face value that few are thinking about the environment right now.
Climate Change is Hurting Community and Agricultural Banks
A recent report by a subcommittee of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (USCFTC) highlights the financial sector's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In addition to the direct impacts relating to assets, regulatory uncertainty due to the lack of a national plan to address climate change makes preparing for disruptions an even bigger challenge.
Want to Reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution? Reduce All Pollution
The ocean plastic pollution problem can seem intractable — after all, up to 13 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean every year. And this pollution, unfortunately, does not simply float innocuously on the water’s surface. Marine life can ingest plastics, affecting ecosystem health and seafood. Economically speaking, the costs can be surprisingly significant. Here’s one big number: $206,000. That’s the amount of damage marine litter causes the Scottish aquaculture industry each year.
Could Europe’s Car-Free Zones Become Long-Term Solutions? A Look at Three Cities’ Efforts
As post-lockdown reopening continues around the world, leaders are wondering how to maintain social distancing while also returning to life as (somewhat) normal. The timing of this discussion is especially prescient considering today is World Environment Day, the theme of which this year is #ForNature.
UPS Ramps Up Carbon Neutral Shipment Offsets
Global logistics giant UPS has invested over $1 billion on alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles over the past decade. In the company’s latest announcement, it is marking World Environment Day (WED) by matching carbon offsets of all parcels shipped via its carbon neutral program during June and using proceeds to continue buying “good quality” offsets.
Carbon Recycling Offers Hope for More Sustainable Air Travel
The airline industry has woken up to a new reality under the COVID-19 pandemic, with fears of viral infection layering over concerns about the role of jet fuel in the climate crisis. Nevertheless, there are signs that the aviation sector is beginning to recover, and so are the prospects for sustainable air travel.
Signs of Growth in Regenerative Agriculture as Beer Maker Steps In
Just a few years ago, regenerative agriculture was largely a niche effort. Now, leading industry stakeholders are pushing it into the mainstream. In the latest development, last week Anheuser-Busch has reported promising results from a new partnership with the sustainable agriculture firm Indigo Agriculture. The partners are already looking forward to additional improvements as the project continues into a new growing season.
Fine Wine Investing: Amid Market Turmoil Does This Alternative Asset Class Merit Consideration?
As the Coronavirus continues to spread rapidly at the time of writing mid this March, the full scale of the risk to the global economy has hit markets with rarely seen violence. The speed of the sell-off in equities and “risky” asset classes has only been matched by the rise in price of safe haven assets such as U.S. government bonds (Treasuries) or gold. Now cash has suddenly become King and riskier asset classes shunned - at least for now. Who would have thought this just a few months ago?
Luxury In Lithuania: Top Hotels & Gastro Delights
With the Baltic country of Lithuania marking the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence this March from the Soviet Union, I thought it appropriate and in order run through some top sights, leading hotels and gastronomic delights in and around Vilnius, the capital, which was first settled in the Stone Age. Over the years it has changed hands between Imperial and Soviet Russia, Germany, Poland, and Lithuania a multiple of times.
Women Have Always Been ‘IT Geeks,’ Yet FinTech Still Lags on Diversity
Not unlike other industries, the information technology (IT) field is stil male-dominated, and one doesn’t have look far to see the disparities when looking at the demographic makeup of IT geeks worldwide. Going by the industry statistics, things are beginning to change, but it’s happening slowly. Women executives within the IT sphere still make up a very small percentage.
Women Have Always Been ‘IT Geeks,’ Yet FinTech Still Lags on Diversity
Not unlike other industries, the information technology (IT) field is stil male-dominated, and one doesn’t have look far to see the disparities when looking at the demographic makeup of IT geeks worldwide. Going by the industry statistics, things are beginning to change, but it’s happening slowly. Women executives within the IT sphere still make up a very small percentage.
Bryan Ferry’s New UK Tour Unveiled With 1974 ‘Live Albert Hall’ Album
Legendary British artist Bryan Ferry, singer with ‘Rock & Roll Hall Of Famers’ Roxy Music, has announced his upcoming project album ‘Live at the Royal Albert Hall 1974’ ahead of a brand-new UK tour commencing this coming March. The release, which is a recording from Ferry’s first-ever solo tour and described as a “seminal performance”, is now available to the public for the very first time. Scheduled for release on 7 February 2020 via BMG.
Climate Change: Should Central Banks Join The Battle?
Central banks (national banks that provide financial services for their countries’ governments and commercial banking systems, implement monetary policies, and issue currency) now find themselves debating the ramifications of taking on bold climate action policies. And perhaps not before time given their pivotal role in managing money supply and interest rates of countries. But can they help the world prevent climate change?
How Effective Will Russia’s New PM Be In Taxing Crypto & Digital Industry? | CryptoFinance24
How Effective Will Russia’s New PM Be In Taxing Crypto & Digital Industry? 01.24.20 With the former head of the Russian Federation’s Federal Tax Service and newly appointed Prime Minister, expressing the view that “all operations” with cryptocurrency should be taxed, industry pundits in the space are reflecting on what the impact and fallout might be.
World Heritage Preservation Experts 'Face-Off' In Prague
Prague, where the streets are a fantasia scarcely touched by the twenty-first century, was the setting for an international conference this summer for heritage preservation experts from around Europe along with private sector representatives, investors and architects of successful Czech heritage projects to discuss how heritage is looked after, who is responsible for buildings and monuments of significance as well as how to fundraise in order to maintain these assets over the long term.
Financial Adviser Hailed ‘A Hero’ By Cabinet Minister
The founder of an IFA practice in North London has been applauded by Secretary of State Theresa Villiers for the campaigning efforts of a “three-times” qualified Chartered Financial Planner in supporting multiculturalism, whose father was a Monte Cassino veteran in Italy during World War II.
Tasting Somerset Food Excellence At Yeo Valley London
The world's your oyster. Now perhaps the next best thing to a taste of Somerset in the West Country itself but without the hassle of a 120-mile drive down the road from London, could well prove to be a trip to Yeo Valley’s café in Queensway in west London. And, so with this in mind I trotted off to what was touted as the "first-ever" Somerset and Exmoor food and drink experience in the capital last week. Producers from the county were there aplenty.
Denmark Launches New ‘National Strategy’ For Green Investment
Danish fashion and design have long been regarded as cutting edge and successful over many years. Now a new national strategy for attracting foreign investments to Denmark focussed particularly on attracting technology and knowledge-based, green investments across all of Denmark has been launched. Touted as the “first national strategy” for attracting foreign investments and in green growth segments, it will run from 2020 to 2023.
City Exchange’s Forum Sees Gina Miller Receive Standing Ovation
City hypes and types gathered at Haberdashers’ Hall in London’s Smithfield area this October at the annual MondoVisione exchange forum, hearing from experts on topics ranging from cybersecurity, the impact of Brexit, moves in green finance as well as digital transformation and innovation - all offering insight to the world of tomorrow.
Brexitcast: Parliament Has a Duty To Represent The People, What Are The Government Doing?
Political knockabouts, judicial control, mellifluous voices, constitutional coup - call it what you will over proroging Parliament. But these Brexit machinations aren’t going away anytime soon. That is, unless the whole thing is cancelled once and for all. Frankly, one wonders how the UK ever got to this point after three years since a Referendum on continued European Union (EU) membership.
International eXcellence Luxury Magazine
Do you know your Pierogi from your Bigos, or your Kluski from your Zurek? Well, it might come as a bit of a surprise to many but the city of Kraków (Cracow in English) in southern Poland near the border to the Czech Republic became the first recipient of the ‘European Capital of Gastronomic Culture’ for 2019.
Minted In Prague at Czech National Bank’s Money Expo
Money, money, money. No, I’m not talking about the Abba song, but the path along which money has travelled stretching as far back as civilization itself.
Is President Trump Wrong Over Bitcoin's ‘Thin Air’ Tweet? | CryptoFinance24
Is President Trump Wrong Over Bitcoin’s ‘Thin Air’ Tweet? 07.15.19 U.S. President Donald Trump is wrong and placing himself on the “wrong side of history” over Bitcoin, the ‘Big Daddy’ of cryptocurrencies, the boss of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations with around $12 billion under advisement has contended and they should be regulated.
Bratislava: Top 10 Things To See & Do In Slovakia’s ‘Little Big’ City
As the only city in the world located on the border with three countries - Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary - Bratislava, the Slovak capital, is worth at least a weekend trip away. There are also some excellent things to see and do in ‘Little Big’ city. And, with Vienna around 40km away, it’s a perfect place for a getaway. The city received its contemporary name in 1919.
U.S. Air Force Blockchain-Based Defense Contractor Exhibits At Paris Air Show | CryptoFinance24
U.S. Air Force Blockchain-Based Defense Contractor Exhibits At Paris Air Show 06.19.19 Secure supply chain management for the Aviation and Defense (A&D) sectors utilizing blockchain technology is coming to the 53rd International Paris Air Show this June (17-23) at Le Bourget, France, with one pioneering innovator set to showcase its solution for ‘end-to-end’ supply chain transparency, accountability and security for the industry sectors underpinned by the distributed ledger technology.
World Gin Day: Let The Imbibing & Investing ‘Be-Gin’
Ahead of ‘World Gin Day’ this year on 8 June, award-winning UK online broker, The Share Centre, has taken a look at how an investment of £1,000 in household-name gin brands could have returned a refreshingly nice profit of £172 since last year. Not a bad yield at 17.2% per annum all things considered. World Gin Day on 8 June is a global celebration of all things gin. And, since 2009 people have been getting together all around the world with an excuse to drink their favourite gin-themed tipple.
U.S. SEC Sues Alleged $26m ‘Crypto Pyramid’ Scheme Perpetrator, Is It The Last? | CryptoFinance24
U.S. SEC Sues Alleged $26m ‘Crypto Pyramid’ Scheme Perpetrator, Is It The Last?
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